Boozy pupils expelled

Marvelous Moyo , Gwanda Correspondent
THREE Gwanda Secondary School Form 3 pupils have been “expelled” from school while eight others are serving punishment for drinking beer within the school’s premises.

The three boys, who cannot be named, are alleged to have been the ring leaders. They were sent packing by school authorities on Monday for being a bad influence on others after they took Gold Blend brandy to school and shared it with other pupils.

Their classmates reported them to school authorities who ordered them to bring their parents, who were then informed about the school’s decision.

Gwanda Secondary School’s acting school headmistress Rerutoe Ncube yesterday said the pupils had left the school through voluntary withdrawal.

“From what I know, the parents of these pupils did what we call voluntary withdrawal of their children from school,” she said before referring all questions to the deputy head, Mandla Mnkandla, who led the disciplinary committee that dealt with the matter.

Mnkandla said the school only recommended to have the three pupils transferred from the school since parents of other pupils at the school felt their children were no longer safe learning with those who brought liquor to school.

“Some parents had even resorted to accompanying their children to and from school to see that they are safe. However, these pupils will write all their end of term exam papers after completing their punishment. In their reports, some wrote that they were drinking to get rid of a hangover,” he said.

Parents of the affected pupils yesterday told The Chronicle that they made efforts to engage the school authorities to reverse the decision to no avail.

“On Friday, all parents of the pupils who were reported to have been drinking beer at school were called to the school. We went there and we were informed about the offence our children had committed. Understanding that our children had wronged, we tried to apologise but the school authorities could not take it,” said one parent. The parent said the “expulsion” of the three children was done orally.

“The school did not give us any written letter regarding my child’s expulsion, it was just said verbally. I feel the school’s decision was rather too harsh,” he added.

When a Chronicle news crew visited the school yesterday, the nine boys on punishment were busy working in a bushy area at the school.

Other pupils at the school said the eleven boys were given some beating after committing the offence, which the pupils in question also confirmed.

Matabeleland South provincial education director Tumisang Thabela was not reachable for a comment.